The governor challenged Nigeria's youthful population to engage in purposeful political participation.
Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai has urged Nigerian youths to actively participate in the country's political process.
While speaking on restructuring at Chatham House in London on Thursday, September 21, 2017, the governor said participating in politics is the only way for the nation's youth to shape its future.
He challenged the youthful population to engage in purposeful political participation so as not to regret the results of the actions of the older generation currently in politics.
However, he also said that despite that there are no barriers for young people to thrive politically, they must be ready to deal with disappointments and frustrations.
He said the best way for them to make meaningful progress is to not approach their participation with any sense of entitlement and be ready to work hard to serve the Nigerian people.
The governor said, "So long as young people think they don't have a chance and stay away, they will never be there. I say this again and again to all the the young people I talk to; politics trumps everything.
"You can go and be your NGO, be social activist and so on, you'll never change the world.
"The way to change your environment is to participate in the political process and you cannot do so without getting your hands dirty. You'll be disappointed, you'll be frustrated, but it is your country, it is your future.
"If you don't get involved now to change the future now and shape it, we'll leave behind to you a nation you don't like.
"You're 80% of the population, seize the moment, get involved. It won't be easy, but you don't have a choice.
"You can be social activist, but at the end of the day, you must get involved in the political process at one level or another if you want to shape and change your future.
"The platforms exist, there are no barriers to joining, but you need to come in without any sense of entitlement and be ready to serve and work hard and be frustrated.
"You have to come in to push us out, and you must."
The governor noted that he didn't realise that he could effectively participate in politics as a young man until he served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
While responding to a question about the Federal Government's position on the calls for a referendum by separatist groups in the country, the governor said the Nigerian constitution makes no provision for conducting one, except in special cases.
He further expressed his delight at the constitutional limits of conducting a referendum in the country, saying that the results are undesirable.
By Samson Toromade.
Full story at Pulse NG.
No comments:
Post a Comment